Commentary; Posted: 3/21/07
Area needs dedicated road funding
Rep. Jeremy Kalin
Guest Columnist
For months, the DFL House caucus has emphasized the issues of education, health care, and property taxes.
I’ve worked diligently with other first term representatives to make transportation a priority as well.
This week our efforts succeed, as the House Transportation Bill is scheduled to be the first funding bill passed. But first I want to share startling news we received last week about our property taxes.
The non-partisan House Fiscal Analysts project that, without legislative reform, property taxes will rise by more than $600 million next year; the largest property tax increase in state history.
In our area, residential property taxes are expected to rise by nearly 10 percent, more than the state average.
Property taxes are out of hand — they have gone up $1.7 billion since 2003. It’s getting so bad that senior citizens are being taxed out of homes they’ve lived in for decades.
But these numbers will become reality if we do nothing — it’s time for action. I campaigned on this issue and remain committed to immediate property tax relief and permanent property tax reform.
By now you’re probably asking yourself what property taxes have to do with transportation. Each year they have more and more in common.
A 2005 bi-partisan transportation plan to increase the gas tax would have meant $17 million in new transportation investment for Chisago County alone, not to mention our highways statewide. Unfortunately, that bill suffered a veto, which forced the county to bond $14 million on our property taxes.
The Highway 95 North Branch bridge over I-35 is a good example of where MnDOT’s funding shortfall could mean another steep hike in property taxes.
Because the state can’t match Congressman Oberstar’s $6.7 million in federal funds for the bridge, the city may be forced to finance the project on the backs of property taxpayers.
For these reasons, I reluctantly support increasing the gas tax to pay for needed road and bridge projects. It would be fiscally irresponsible to continue borrowing money we don’t have and force the state into further debt. The state literally cannot afford to finance any more transportation bonding.
I also don’t believe it’s right for seniors who rarely drive to end up paying for road construction through high property taxes.
Raising the gas tax is a tough decision for me. I’m not a big fan of raising taxes, but because the gas tax is dedicated to transportation, I’m confident the Transportation Bill will provide much-needed investment for our roads and bridges - and help lower property taxes.
However, some lawmakers have proposed making the gas tax increase automatically with inflation. I have insisted that not happen.
We shouldn’t be passing the buck and create automatic tax increases.
As legislators we’re elected to make tough decisions, and I’m willing to do what is right for our district, rather than be easily swayed by political pressure.
As always, I encourage your feedback on this, or other issues. Please give me a call at 651-296-5377 or e-mail at rep.jeremy.kalin@house.mn with your comments and questions.
Jeremy Kalin, DFL-Lindstrom, represents District 17B and Chisago County in the Minnesota State House of Representatives.
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